Sharon Harrald
Vice President HR & Supply Chain
Manitoba Hydro
360 Portage Avenue (22)
Winnipeg, MB, R3C 0G8
 
Dear Ms. Harrald;
 
Following your request of April 17,2020, we the undersigned unions/association groups are willing to do our part towards coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. We share the goals of minimizing impacts on Manitobans and working collaboratively together towards our collective health, social and economic recovery.  We recognize Manitoba Hydro plays a vital role in the province and we believe that the interests of our members places us in harmony with these goals.  Our position is that full employment should continue to be a priority, for the benefit of the economy generally and for our members.
 
Manitoba Hydro has asked us to put forward our sense of “potential collaborative avenues” in working together to “find solutions that minimize the scale and impact of layoffs for our members.”  We are more than happy to work together with the Corporation in its attempts to mitigate harmful outcomes for our members.  We are certain that by combining together the experiences of both Hydro’s unions/association and its management, the best possible outcomes will result for both parties.
 
President Grewal has indicated that before any decisions are made regarding staff reductions or layoffs, all other expenditures will be reviewed.  One has to assume that the purpose of such an assessment is to gauge the efficiency, benefit, and necessity of each of these costs.  President Grewal’s list for assessment includes “eliminating discretionary non-essential costs, delaying planned construction, reducing fleet renewal, and additional (non-identified) measures.
 
Your request signals that there may be a “need to commence formal layoff processes.”  You are asking the bargaining units to place aside their obligation to protect their Collective Agreements and to facilitate your ability to proceed with “layoffs” and “work reductions”.  This is the ultimate request that can be made of any union/association.  In order to even consider such an appeal, bargaining units would have to be convinced that this request was the final recourse open to the employer.  Unfortunately, we have not been given any evidence that this is the case and we have specifically been denied information and input by members of corporate management who have rejected our request citing “managerial rights” as justification for not involving Hydro’s bargaining units.”
 
True collaboration and cooperation between the parties could pave the way for such a realization, but without it, bargaining units are being asked to “trust” that work reductions and layoffs are necessary.  However, the duty that we owe our members prevents us from engaging in such an irresponsible manner. 
 
Bargaining units are realistic and professional.  We understand that these times might require extraordinary measures, and that these could be less than ideal for our members.  And if we were to get to that point through true open, collaborative discussion and an honest and open exchange of ideas, we would have fulfilled the obligation we have to our members, and (assuming membership approval) we would provide the necessary flexibility you seek in our collective agreements.  We know that our input “value-adds” to the considerations that have to be made at this time, and we are eager to provide positive contributions to the difficult choices before Manitoba Hydro.
 
We received your appeal to relax job security and lay off provisions in our respective collective agreements.  All of our bargaining groups gave up something at the bargaining table for job security, so this request is enormous.  As per the Premier’s public statements and Hydro’s reassurance to us, impacts on our members must be a last resort.  Accordingly, on a without prejudice basis, we would be willing to discuss relaxing provisions of our collective agreements if the following conditions were to be discussed in detail by the parties:
 

• That Hydro not engage in any staff layoffs or work reductions that would jeopardize member and public safety.

• That there be a moratorium on “contracting out” during any period of work reductions, work-sharing or layoffs, save and except contractors on MEGA projects, and/or mutually agreed to exceptions.For the purpose of this letter MEGA projects consist of Keeyask, the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Line, and the Birtle Transmission Line.

• That there be no hiring of additional contractors or consultants during the period of reduced hours or layoffs.Additionally, any currently engaged contractors or consultants be laid off before any Manitoba Hydro staff.

• That any International employment contracts be terminated within 30 days or sooner where possible, and Manitoba Hydro staff be redeployed to do that work if deemed important or essential.

• That “COVID-19 Workforce Adjustment Review Committees” be struck immediately for each Bargaining Group and be made up of:
  1. Hydro’s Vice-President for the Business Unit
  2. Vice-President of Human Resources
  3. No less than three Bargaining Unit Representatives

• That the guiding principles of the committees be:

• Treat employees with dignity and respect;
• Expedite the placement of employees;
• Minimize the disruption and impact to all employees;
• Provide alternate employment opportunities to employees who are willing to accept reasonable changes; and
• Provide alternative solutions to affected employees.

• That each committee be tasked with:

• Identifying “essential work” within their jurisdiction;
• Devising alternatives and making decisions regarding deployment of non-essential employees; and
• Arriving at all decisions by consensus.

• That prior to any layoffs or reduction of hours to a current Hydro employee, he or she be redeployed to a Manitoba Hydro subsidiary company.In the event that there are no vacancies at subsidiary companies, a retired Manitoba Hydro employee working at any of those companies and filling a job for which the Hydro employee is qualified, be laid off.

• That the definitive number of employees to be laid off in each of the undersigned groups be declared by Manitoba Hydro before any layoffs begin.Once the number is established, it be increased only through a consensual decision of the appropriate “COVID-19 Workforce Adjustment Review Committee.”Once the number of layoffs has been established, Hydro canvas existing staff members for any volunteers willing to be affected.Volunteers must be accepted before any forced layoffs can occur.

• That prior to any reduction of hours or layoffs in the bargaining groups, the employer first initiate a reduction of at least 20% of all other Manitoba Hydro staff areas.

• That there be no internal job postings during this COVID-19 adjustment period.

• That should Manitoba Hydro qualify and be approved for the Federal Government Work Share program, or similar program, and should Hydro employees elect to participate in that program, Manitoba Hydro top up the EI benefits to 80% of their regular bi-weekly earnings.

• That for the purposes of the flexibility being sought from the bargaining units, the COVID-19 period be deemed in effect until June 1, 2020. Should the emergency be declared beyond that point, the bargaining units shall review their consent to flexibility in the administration of the Collective Agreement every thirty (30) days.  In any event, layoffs and reductions of work hours shall not exceed the duration of the declared emergency.

 
The bargaining groups at Manitoba Hydro are very much aware and concerned with the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought on our employer, Manitoba Hydro. As a workforce we have always been willing and happy partners in the essential services that Hydro provides to the public.  We take great pride in the contributions that our members make every day to the success of this Corporation. 
 

During these trying times, we are even more committed to making Manitoba Hydro successful.  We know very well that Manitoba Hydro’s success is our success.  It’s in everyone’s best interests to contribute to that realization.  Now, more than ever, we are willing and eager to help.  This is not the time to ignore the valuable insights and suggestions that, coming from the grassroots, can add to Hydro’s toolbox as it tries to weather this storm.  Let’s be successful together.
 

Sincerely,


____________   ____________   ____________   ____________
Terry Dunlop       Michelle Bergen   Mike Espenell      Victor Diduch
AMHSSE             CUPE 998            IBEW 2034         UNIFOR